What's wrong with UV/IR Filters?

[jaapv]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

To which I may add that the 240 is slightly more sensitive to IR than the M9, to the extent that I feel compelled to convert some shots I took at noon in the tropics to Black and White...

The M 8 cuts out 50% of IR, the M9 80% and the 240 at a guess about 70%.

To be fair, it is the best we can hope for, gives the need of a thin cover glass for this type of camera.

 

But to give the Leica gentleman his due, for the MM it can only harm.

[erl]

Interesting statistics Jaap. I was not aware of the actual figures.

 

Do you know how IR cut filters harm images from the MM? I don't have an MM (yet) but am still curious to know.

[bocaburger]

I still have my IR filters from the M8 days, they are Heliopans and have much better and more scratch-resistent antireflective coatings than the Leica and B+W ones. My main objection to them is the red reflection they show to the public, which I found attracts attention and curiosity. And the M9 and 240 do not have firmware correction for cyan corners with wide angle lenses, which are even more severe with full-frame than the M8. But in my 3 years with the M9 and now an M240 I have yet to encounter any evidence of IR contamination with green foliage or black synthetics.

[erl]

Consider yourself lucky if you have not experienced the IR contamination.

 

Since you have the filters anyway, try an experiment with a selection of green foliage at different times of the day. I expect you will see a side by side difference. Likewise, try the black synthetic material test under tungsten lighting. If nothing else, you will learn when to anticipate contamination, if it occurs in front of your lens.

[Jeff S]

But in my 3 years with the M9 and now an M240 I have yet to encounter any evidence of IR contamination with green foliage or black synthetics.

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/2378393-post82.html

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/2563122-post1.html

 

Jeff

[Dougg]

... My main objection to them is the red reflection they show to the public, which I found attracts attention and curiosity. ...

With the red "searchlight" effect I am comforted by the thought that the red/pink light represents IR reflected and not hitting the sensor.

 

Doug

[erl]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

A good way to 'hide' that 'searchlight' is to fit a decent lens hood. It will give better protection from flare and better disguise the IR filter.